Scotland debut at Hampden ‘a dream come true’ for Nicky Devlin

Nicky Devlin was left feeling like one in a million after making his Scotland debut in the goalless draw against Portugal at Hampden Park.

Amid a raft of call-offs, the 30-year-old Aberdeen full-back was drafted into the international set-up for the first time by Steve Clarke for the Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.

Devlin sat on the bench for the 2-1 defeat in Zagreb on Saturday but in the final minutes against Portugal he replaced Anthony Ralston and helped the Scots to their first point in the section by making a crucial block from substitute Rafael Leao.

“It is probably a dream come true,” he said.

“I understand, probably for millions of people, that’s their dream, and I managed to get on tonight and make mine come true.

“So a proud moment for me and all my family, really, proud moment. So just delighted. I was a bit apprehensive in terms of, you don’t want to come on and concede a goal late.

“So you have to focus on doing your job, do the job the way you’ve been doing it. That’s what got you to this point, or got you in the squad to begin with.

“I was happy when it said four minutes (left), to be fair. But it was a good point for the team.”

On his crucial block, the former Livingston defender said: “I wasn’t sure if I was tucked in too much and maybe that’s why he had a wee bit of space.

“But yeah, it was obviously, you’ve got to just fling your body at it. For the last two games, the whole defence, the whole team, have made a lot of blocks, Craig Gordon made a few big saves.

“So you kind of just want to do your part and hopefully I managed to do that.”

Devlin is determined to stay in the squad for next month’s double-header against Croatia and Poland.

He said: “I think this is where everyone wants to be all the time.

“You want to play in the biggest competitions and international football is probably the highest level you can play.

“I know I have to go back and work hard, play well again, for my club, and hopefully that’s enough to get back in.”